WEST LAFAYETTTE, Ind. --- The University of North Dakota soccer team opened its 2013 season against Xavier, falling to the Musketeers, 3-0, on Friday in the first game of the Boilermaker Challenge Cup.

While the result wasn’t what the team hoped for, UND still had many reasons to hold its head high after starting the 2013 campaign against a Big East opponent.

“On the whole, it was a great experience for us,” first-year head coach Matt Kellogg commented. “We had six players playing in their first collegiate game today and I was pleased with everyone’s effort. When we implemented our attacking scheme we were able to create scoring chances and go toe-to-toe with them.”

However, Xavier had two exhibition games before today’s match, and it showed; they were more organized and calmer.”

North Dakota started the game well, notching the first two shots on goal. For the first 15 minutes, UND outpaced the Musketeers, however, Xavier adapted to UND’s strategy and got on the board in the 21st minute with a goal from Tori Doss.

“In the opening stretch I thought we played very well, we stayed composed and stuck to the game plan,” Kellogg said. “Then we started to get a bit heavy legged and we veered from the game plan, but that’s going to happen with a young team.”

Xavier’s Maggie Hare recorded the game’s second goal in the 38th minute to give the Musketeer’s a 2-0 lead at half. In the 52nd minute, Mariah Whitaker scored Xavier’s third and final goal.

North Dakota took a total of eight shots, with four on target. UND goalkeeper Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.) played all 90 minutes recording six saves.

“I thought Andrea Hyduke (Duluth, Minn.) had great game for us up front with her attacking game,” Kellogg added. “Anna Jung (Sandy, Utah) also had a good game for us; she looked dangerous coming out of the back when she made runs forward.”

North Dakota returns to the pitch on Sunday to cap off its Boilermaker Challenge Cup trip with a match against Akron at 10 a.m. (CT).